Floor and roof construction



' Oct. 30, 1934. J. c. ORRELL FLOOR AND ROOF CONSTRUCTION Filed March 25, 1932 A TTORNEY.

fi gm R NPR X WITNESSES Patented Oct. 30, 1934' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y Application March 23,

5 Claims.

The invention relates to floor and roof construction,.and particularly to flat terra-cotta tile arches in connection with such construction.

The primary object of the invention is to dispense with the centering or supporting instrumentalities which have been commonly used in connection with the roofsby the installation of the completed com pound arch units of the invention in their final places in the floors and roofs where they are to be ultimately used, without the use of temporary centering, after they have been constructed and joined or cemented together at some other place.

An important object of the invention is to construot the arches of individual tile members, which are provided with webs or brace formations which form continuations with the webs and brace formations of the abutting and adjacent tile members to form a continuous trussed structure which extends the total length of the arch,

whom one heel thereof .to the next.

Another important object of the invention is to constructthe arch units of members wherein the webs, chords and arch members by their interrelated construction will withstand longitudinal, lateral, vertical and diagonal strains and stresses without the use of the usual tie rods.

A-further object of the inventionis to construct each of, the voussoirs of the floor and roof arches, including the keystones, with'interlocking tongues and grooves so that the floors and roofs may be constructed and eventually placed in position in completed sections, without the usefof temporary centering.

An additional object of the invention is to form skewback sections which are so constructed that they may be placed in position on'supporting beams and .be adapted to receive the respective ends or heels of the completed arch sections.

A further object of the inventionistohavethe respective end members of the arches assist in forming supporting beams of concrete, and-the like, beam centering means being utilized in this case with a single planking to form the soffit of j the beam.

While the conv'entional term arch is used herein it should be distinctly understood thatthe assembled units described are trusses having the usual horizontal, vertical and diagonal memj bers resisting shearing, compressive and tensional forces. Y

The invention will be explained and more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrate embodi-. ;ments of which the invention is susceptible, it:

making of tile floors and 1932, Serial No. 600,609 (CI. 72-67) being obvious that various changes and modifications in the structure maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims forming a part; hereof. i i

Inthe drawing: r I i t Figure 1 is aperspective view of a panel of completed arch units in connection with structural steel supporting beams wherein no temporary centering is used, and illustrates the interlocked voussoirs or tiles having interrelated truss formation of webbing. V V

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a panel of completed arch units inconnection with concretesupporting beams wherein the concrete beam is formed on the sides by the skewbacks of the arches, and its sofiit byplanking, and illustrates the interlocked voussoirs having interrelated truss formation of webbing, which is different from that of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of abuttingtiles showing the form of interlocking or dove-tailed joint between each tile. h

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the diagonal truss webbingof the tiles of thearch units of Figure 1 constitute truss formations and are continuous from tile to tile in the general direction of the thrust of the arches and which indicates the arrangement of resisting stresses within the arches, and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the form of webbing or trussformation in the tiles of the arches of Figure. 2 in the general direction of the thrust of the arches and indicatesthe arrangement of resisting stresses within the arches.

Referring to the construction of arches illustrated'in Figure 1 and diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 4, the skewbacks 1, l are cemented to and cover the sides and bottoms of the supporting beams 2, 2. The skewbacks 1,1 are tiles which are substantially triangular in. cross section, and preferably are formed to be used with standard forms of I beams. For this purpose they are constructed to be cemented and lie against the web of the beam under the top flange thereof,-and have the recesses 3 to receive the lower flange of the beam. The skewbacks for the other side of the I beam are similarly constructed and have recesses 4 to receive the 1 other lower flange of the beam.

Each of the skewbacks l, is provided with a shoulder 5. This shoulder is for the purpose of receiving and supporting the ribs on the sides of the end tiles or voussoirs of the arches and to no maintain alignment of the arches on their under sides. The voussoirs or tiles 6 with the voussoirs or keystone 7 are constructed and assembled in single compound units which are placed in position between the skewbacks 1, 1 of the r..- speotive supporting I beam sections. These members are placed in as many sections as may be desired to make up panels of the required dimensions. It will be understood that as many voussoirs 6 as may be required in an arch unit may be used with the keystone '7.

Each of the voussoirs 6 is provided with tongues 8 and grooves 9 on the respective sides, thus enabling the voussoirs to be interlocked. The keystone is provided with tongues or ribs 10 and 11, to fit into the respective grooves of the adjacent voussoirs 6.

The voussoirs 6 are each constructed with diagonal bracing or webbing 12 which is integral with the top, bottom and side walls. The diagonal bracing or webbing 12 is transverse of the entire width of each of the tiles of each of the arches, and when in place in the arches with the respective keystones and skewbacks, constitute truss formation. These webs, together with top and bottom chords and sides of the tiles with similar members in connecting tiles constitute a truss formation. These integral webs together with the parallel lower chords and arch members and the interlocked sides of the individual tiles, skewbacks and keystone, make the arch rigid and durable and able to withstand all forms of stresses and strains, whether longitudinal, lateral, vertical or diagonal.

In order to place the arch units forming the panel sections into the desired position with relation to the I beams 2, 2, and without the use of temporary centering or lower supporting members, the skewbacks 1, 1 are cemented in place against the I beams 2, 2. When the skewbacks 1, 1 are cemented in place it will be observed that the tops of the skewbacks are below the upper flanges of the I beams and the lower flanges of the I beams fit in the recesses 3 and 4, as is common practice. It will also be observed that when the skewbacks 1, 1 are thus cemented into position with relation to the I beams, the lower surfaces of the skewbacks form sofiits which will be in alignment with the lower surfaces of the arch units which make up the panel sections.

In forming the single arches the voussoirs 6 and the keystone '7 are assembled lying on their vertical sides, in which position cement or mortar is poured into the joints 13 and around the ribs or tongues 8 and the grooves 9 of the interlocked joints. After the cement or mortar has set the arch is turned to its normal position and is then placed between the skewbacks 1, 1 with the ribs 8 of the end voussoirs 6 resting upon the skewback shoulder 5, 5. Cement or mortar has been filled in between the ends of the arch units and the skewbacks.

Each arch unit is placed in position as a single member and cemented in place until the desired size of panel is completed.

Referring to Figure 4 which is the diagrammatic illustration of the truss formation of the arch units of Figure 1, the lower portions of the voussoirs or tiles 6 are shown as the chord 14 and the top portions of the voussoirs or tiles 6 are shown as the arch member 15. The sides of the voussoirs which contain the ribs and grooves and when interlocked act as stiffening members, are shown at 16. Intermediate the chord 14 and the arch member 15 and extending from each tile of the arch into the next tile, are the web or truss members 17.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 2, the voussoirs 18 are similar in construction to the voussoirs 6 of Figure 1 except for the webs or braces forming integral parts thereof. It will be seen from an inspection of the drawing that these webs or braces together with top and bottom chords and sides of the tiles with similar members in connecting tiles constitute a truss formation in each arch unit which extends from one beam 2'? to the next.

The side portions of the voussoirs 18 are provided with ribs or tongues 21 and grooves 22 so that the voussoirs 18 may be interlocked. The keystone 20 is provided with ribs 23 and 24 so that it may be interlocked with the adjacent tile members.

All of the webs o-r braces of the voussoirs 18 extend transversely through each of the voussoirs and consequently transversely through the individual arches. The upright webs or braces 25 are parallel with the sides of the voussoirs 18.

The cross webs or braces 26 extend from side to side of the voussoirs and have a or continuing relationship to the cross Webs or braces of the adjacent voussoirs as will be seen from an examination of the cross braces 26 in Figure 2, and as shown in the diagrammatic drawing of Figure 5.

In constructing the panel section like Figure 2, the temporary centering or planking 19, 19 is supported at the proper height and place desired. This planking is made of sufficient width to assist in forming a concrete beam to provide sufficient support for the ends of the assembled arch units of the section. The arch units are then placed in position Without further centering or support.

- Concrete may then be poured between the ends of the adjacent arch units thus forming the concrete beams 27, which may be reenforced in any well known manner. Concrete may also be poured over the upper surfaces of the beams 27 and the upper surfaces of the arch units comprising the panel section to make the floor surfacing 28. It will be noted that the ribs or tongues 21 of the end members of the tile arches make an effective bond with the beams 27 and thus support the arch sections without further need of the centering members 19.

It will further be seen that because of the construction of the tile members of the arch units embodying the webbing and bracing, trusses are formed which withstand longitudinal, lateral, vertical and diagonal stresses and strains in the M arch units.

By referring to Figure 5 of the various members of the trusses of the arch units shown in Figure 2 will be readily seen and the cooperative relation of the connected truss members will be better appreciated. The bottom chord of the truss is shown at 28, the top chord at 34, the tension verticals at 29 and the compression diagonals at 30, 31, 32 and 33. Intermediate stiffening members are shown at 35.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In floor and roof construction a fiat tile arch comprising members which are interlocked, said members having a tongue on one side thereof and a groove on the oppos'te side thereof, the top and bottom sides of the tongue diverging outwardly from the side of the member, and the top and bottom sides of the groove diverging inwardly from the opposite side of the member,

cooperative and which members embody cooperative elements which extend from one to another to form a truss throughout the arch, the end members of said arch being provided with ribs, said ribs being adapted to interlock with supporting beams, and said arch having a keystone member which keystone member is interlocked with two individual members, said keystone member being interlocked with said individual members by means of tongues on its opposite sides, the top and bottom sides of the tongues diverging outwardly from the sides of the keystone member, said tongues extending into the grooves of the ad-' joining individual members, whereby said tiles are formed as a rigid unitary member of a panel between said supporting beams.

2. A flat tile arch for floors and roofs comprising individual tiles, said tiles being interlocked, said members having a tongue on one side thereof and a groove on the opposite side thereof, the top and bottom sides of the tongue diverging outwardly from the side of the member, and the top and bottom sides of the groove diverging inwardly from the opposite side of the member, a keystone member, said keystone member being interlocked with two adjacent tiles, said keystone member being interlocked with said individual members by means of tongues on its opposite sides, the top and bottom sides of the tongues diverging outwardly from the sides of the keystone member, said tongues extending into the grooves of the adjoining individual members, each of said tiles of the arch having webbing in cooperative relation to the webbing of adjacent tiles constituting a truss throughout the arch and including a series of truss members extending from one heel of the arch to the other heel of the arch, including said keystone, whereby said arch withstands longitudinal, lateral and diagonal stresses and strains.

3. In floor and roof construction a flat tile arch comprising members which are interlocked, said members having a tongue on one side there of and a groove on the opposite side thereof, the top and bottom sides of the tongue diverging outwardly from the side of the member, and the top and bottom sides of the groove diverging inwardly from the opposite side of the member, and which members embody cooperative elements which extend from one to another to form a truss throughout the arch, the end members of said arch being provided with ribs, said ribs being adapted to interlock with supporting beams, whereby said tiles are formed as a rigid unitary member of a panel between said supporting beams.

4. A fiat tile arch for floors and roofs comprising individual tiles, said tiles being interlocked, said tiles having a tongue on one side thereof and a groove on the opposite side thereof, the top and bottom sides of the tongue diverging outwardly from the side of the member, and the top and bottom sides of the groove diverging inwardly from the opposite side of the tiles, each of said tiles of the arch having webbing in cooperative relation to the webbing of adjacent tiles constituting a truss throughout the arch and including a series of truss members extending from one heel of the arch to the other heel of the arch, whereby said arch withstands longitudinal, vertical, lateral and diagonal stresses and strains.

5. A pre-formed tile beam consisting of interlocking individual tile members joined in the single beam structure, the interlocking being secured by means of tongues and grooves in said tiles, each of said individual tile members embodying webbing in cooperative relation with adjoining tile members which extends from one to another thereof to form a truss throughout the beam structure. I

JAY C. ORRELL. 

